How My Doctor Challenged Me To Write

While I was interested in the arts in high school and even helped a friend write a stage play, I wasn’t interested in writing in any form, which included class reports. I didn’t even have a diary! In my family, I wasn’t allowed to express myself so my thought was: “Why bother?” This question stayed with me throughout my early adult life. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties, did someone dare challenge this deeply rooted way of thinking.

I’m in my mid-thirties, sitting in the examining room waiting for my three-month checkup. I was reading a book when I heard the door open. My doctor smiled at me as he sat down. He crossed his legs and asked what I was reading. I showed him the book cover. He read it out loud then asked me how I was feeling. How do I describe the heavy contemplation I was experiencing? I chose my words carefully; I expressed I was extremely bored. I asked if he had any suggestions for a 35-year-old woman who might be dealing with my circumstances.

Although I was disabled, I was too young to attend the senior center.

The local movie theater was no longer open during the day.

Playing numerous video games on my Atari no longer held my attention.

Most of my friends worked and the ones who didn’t… were in worse physical shape than I was.

While I hosted a weekly support group, at my home, I didn’t know what to do with myself the other days of the week.

I was on the Dean’s List with a 4.0-grade point average for two semesters when attending college classes, but had to drop out due to being sick.

To my amazement, my doctor suggested I take up writing. He said I had a prolific way with words. What would I write about,” I asked. He suggested that I write fiction where I could make up my own stories and get lost in my creations.

I joined an online writing group and started writing. I loved sitting and creating a story line in my head! I loved the fantasies that I could dream up. It took me four to five months to finish my first novel.

I sent query letters to twenty publishing houses and received twenty rejection letters. Then an online friend suggested that I self-publish. I did, and sold over 300 copies! It was mostly to people I knew but it fueled me to keep writing. I even tried my hand at article writing and started making money at it.

When my primary care doctor challenged me to look past the circumstances in my life, a new life began for me! I will forever be grateful.

While I still write, I have switched to writing non-fiction. I write numerous blog articles and I am currently working on my latest book on how I live with a rare brain disorrder.

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We hope you enjoyed reading Gloria’s story. She is an inspiration to many. If you are a writer with a disability and dream of being an author, do not let your circumstances hold you back. Find your work around in life and never let anyone judge your journey.

To purchase a copy of Gloria’s book Healing from the Hurts in Your Life Workbookclick on the image below.

About the Author

Gloria Hass is a catalyst for inspiration and change in people’s lives. She is passionate about seeing people live fully transformed lives and achieving all the goals they desire. Check out her book Healing from the Hurts in Your Life Workbook on Amazon and follow her on Facebook.